About Us

San Diego County Overview

For over two decades San Diego Teen Challenge operated in borrowed and rented facilities. This all changed in 1996 when an abandoned 23,000 square foot former medical facility was purchased to serve as the permanent home of San Diego Teen Challenge. The property had potential and 100 parking spaces. In addtition, it had broken windows, grafitti, rubbish and rodents. What it did not have was plumbing or electrical wiring. A great financial deal was struck and the remodeling process began. A volunteer group called RV Maps was a chief factor in the renovations. Generous churches and individuals came forward with various gifts.

Many miraculous events followed, including a start-up home improvement company selecting SDTC to receive improvements by trained craftsmen totaling over $75,000. We also received a donation of dry wall when a supply house truck was involved in a minor accident. The entire process took about eight years and was done debt free. In October of 2003 at an annual fund raising event we burned the mortgage while singing "Great is Thy Faithfulness".

Program Information

Male students are here for three to four months before being transferred to the next phase of the program in Riverside. They attend daily classes especially designed for new Christians. They are also in chapel services several times a week. In addition, the students visit local churches where they share what God is doing in their lives. Many of the students participate in fund-raising and community outreach efforts and events. At times, the students are involved in work projects in the greater San Diego area.